We’re into January and it’s wild and windy. Storms urge on the rain and frosts strengthen the cold. On some days the sky is covered in a grey blanket and on other days it is crystal blue.
At the apiary the green netting that separates the bees from the communal area had almost fallen down. The shape of hives seen through a veil of hazy sunshine was enchanting, but there was tea and a panna cotta cake on the table.
I love spending a Saturday afternoon at Ealing apiary. It is like a pocketful of country life with beekeepers sharing stories about winter bees and swopping homemade recipes for jams and, in particular, marmalades.
Elsa was going to Greenford market to forage for Seville oranges and she got a good tip from John on using up frames of crystallised honey: “It’s all good for marmalade”.
John Chapple looking cosy in a Christmas pudding hat and a tea-filled Tigger mug.
But the shorter daylight hours in January means beekeepers have less time to stand around and chat, and those beguiling bees were waiting for us, behind the curtain in the fading sun.
Beekeepers have few tasks for January but they are important. First, we unwrapped the chicken wire from the hives and checked under the roofs. Emily and I had put on a second block of fondant on each hive two weeks ago. Melissa’s and Pepper’s bees had made a hole in theirs, but Chili’s and Chamomile’s bees were slower eaters. The heat coming off the crownboards was remarkable and reassuring. We could see and feel that our bees are warm and well-fed.
Melissa’s bees have eaten their way through to the second block of fondant, although the hive is still heavy with honey stores. I suspect that they just like nibbling icing sugar!
I hefted the weight of each hive and put in a varroa board to monitor for levels of mite infestation next week, and Emily checked the entrances were clear of debris and dead bodies. Entrances sometimes get blocked and make it difficult for bees to come and go on cleansing flights or pollen-collecting.
That done, we wrapped up the hives in chicken wire again to prevent hungry woodpeckers from pecking at the wood. I’m sure any local woodpeckers have easier treats to find than tasty bee colonies in this mild winter, but better to be safe than sorry.
While the wintry weather is setting in, the snowdrops on the ground and the green buds in the trees whisper that spring is fast approaching.
The next few weekends will be about clearing out and mending old hive boxes, making up new frames, cleaning kit and getting fresh record cards for the year’s work ahead. I suspect the bees will be coming out of winter soon.
Mrs Apis Mellifera 
Reblogged this on Linda's wildlife garden and commented:
just lovely post
Thanks for the reblog Linda, glad you enjoyed it!
So glad you got that photo of John in his hat! And the snowdrops just starting to come out too, I missed them.
I think Jonesy distracted you with his rebel bees.
What a lovely visit to the apiary. I love John’s hat too! (and his Tiger mug) And the last photo of all the bee boxes – something enchanted about it. Spring does see right around the corner for you – many months to go for us here.
Something magical about life inside the hive, as you know, even more so in winter.
My bees always look like they are eating the fondant, but there is always some left over at the end of the season. I guess they get by on their pure meannness (just kidding, they are sweeties really, for the most part…)
We have mean bees too and they are getting on very well. Only kidding! I’m hopeful Pepper and her mob will calm down this year, just like her mum Chamomile.
I haven’t seen a snowdrop in years.What a nice reminder of them.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
The first snowdrop of the year is always a lovely sight. I’m happy to share it here! Thanks David 🙂
Something about the hive boxes makes me warm and happy. I imagine all the loving care that they received. The exotic-ness of them too because I have never seen one.
I too like the cosy look of hives in winter. The apiary is a lovely place to keep them and visit.
Fascinating.. We have a few Bee keepers on our allotments and so welcome them… And I am so impressed with your skills..
I took a couple of photo’s today in the wood of some snow drops. which are now open… 🙂
Have a great week
Thank you Sue, the bees inspire me to keep on learning 🙂 The snowdrops are still tucked inside here. Have a good week, Emma 🙂
What a fabulous post! I love your work! Both writing and at the farm!
Thanks! Those bees give me a lot to do and to write about 😉 I always wonder what observations the bees would make about us, if the roles were reversed…
Yes! I would love to hear what the bees have to say!
Reblogged this on How 2 Be Green and commented:
Wow!
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